This blog has been set up to further the cause of compassion for Asylum Seekers.
We will post letters that have been sent to politicians, building up the pressure to provide compassionate support to all refugees in Australia and anywhere where people have been sent by the Australian Government.
Send your letter and any reply to our email address and we will post it on the site
Any other information of use will also be posted. For Facebook page click on "contact us" tab below.

A great turnout for last Thursday's roadside demonstration, and lots of
positive responses from passing motorists. Sadly, the weather gradually
deteriorated and our soggy crew had to finally call it a day a short time
before the scheduled finish time. Our next roadside demo will be on Thursday
23rd Novemberfrom2.30 to 4.00 pm on Hogbin Drive, Toormina,
opposite what used to be the Sawtell nursery. Please come and join us
if you can.

Next Market: Bellingen, Saturday
18th November

Our next market stall will be this coming Saturday at the
Bellingen Community market, from 9.00 am until 1.30 pm. As usual,
we'll be handing out leaflets, encouraging people to sign our petition and
selling our merchandise. If you can join us on the stall for an hour or two,
then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

Meeting and social: Sunday 3rd
December from 10.30 am.

A reminder (see last week's newsletter), that we are planning a meeting
and social get-together on Sunday 3rd December at 39, Rogers Drive, Valla Beach,
starting at 10.30 am. The event is open to all our 500+ supporters,
and we do hope that we will get a good turnout. We'll discuss what we've
achieved in 2017, plan what we'll do in 2018, and then enjoy one another's
company over lunch. It would be helpful if you could bring a plate to share. If
you are planning to attend, then please let Mike know by email at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

Manus island stand-off

At the time of writing, more than four hundred detainees continue to
refuse to leave what remains of the detention centre. The PNG government is
determined to remove them to the three East Lorengau facilities, whilst our
government continues to blame everyone but itself for this humanitarian
catastrophe. In recent days, the Doctors For Refugees organisation has sent a
detailed letter to every member of parliament, setting out the realities of the
terrible state of affairs, and making clear that is the government's
responsibility to care for the refugees and asylum seekers. They say: "On
the evening of 4th November 2017, a man with a suspected heart attack in the
former RPC (refugee processing centre) sought assistance in the Lorengau
hospital. This man was discharged from the facility without having an ECG or
blood tests....Thirty six hours later these essential investigations
still had not been performed. With this level of medical support, it seems
there is little hope for any refugee who becomes seriously unwell on Manus
island, whether they are in the former RPC or relocated to East
Lorengau." The letter goes on to point out:" The situation
is a direct consequence of the government's arbitrary, indefinite incarceration
of hundreds of innocent men in a hostile environment on a remote island in a
poor country, unequipped in all respects to look after them. It must finally
take adequate responsibility for the welfare of these men."

The full text of the letter will be available shortly on our blog.
Please consider phoning politicians to protest at this ongoing catastrophe of
our government's making.